The Los Angeles Clippers already have made a blockbuster trade this season. But the Clippers are reportedly scowling the trade market once again. This time for a backup center, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Los Angeles Clippers Rumors: Clips Looking For Veteran Center to Replace Mason Plumlee In Rotation
Los Angeles needs a backup center as Mason Plumlee will be sidelined for “multiple months” with an MCL sprain in his left knee. Charania added that the Clippers are optimistic that Plumlee will be able to return sometime before the end of the season.
Sources: Clippers center Mason Plumlee is expected to be sidelined as much as two months with MCL sprain in knee — and one veteran center LA is showing interest in as team evaluates external move or standing pat. pic.twitter.com/JU9vecmlyE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 9, 2023
Plumlee suffered the injury Monday when New York Knicks forward Julius Randle hit his knee while diving for a ball. Plumlee couldn’t put any weight on the knee and had to be helped off the court by two members of the team’s training staff.
LA came into the season with high hopes, especially with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George healthy. The Clippers traded for James Harden in November. But they have dropped two straight since acquiring Harden, including a 100-93 setback to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue used P.J. Tucker at the five with the second unit against the Nets. Tucker is undersized to play the five but will compete and is very gritty. However, the 38-year-old won’t provide much offensive punch. Against Brooklyn, Tucker tallied three points, grabbed six rebounds (three offensive), and blocked one shot.
Moussa Diabate is the only other big behind Tucker and starter Ivica Zubac. Diabate has seen 14 minutes of court time over four appearances this year and has played in 26 games in his career. The Clippers 2022 second-round pick is on a two-way contract.
Possible Replacements for Plumlee
Charania said he hears that the Clippers are considering several big men to replace Plumlee. One name that has been floated around is Indiana Pacers’ reserve big man Daniel Theis. Theis has yet to play this year for the Pacers and is listed fourth on the team’s center depth chart. Theis has expressed his dissatisfaction with his situation. While Charania said that the Pacers aren’t in a rush to move Theis, they are willing to listen to interested parties.
“Obviously after a great summer, I’m not happy with the situation I’m in right now,” Theis, who played well for Germany during the FIBA World Cuo, told Brian Rabb of MassLive.com. “I want to play and take all the good stuff from the summer into the season, but it’s a long season. We are going to see what’s going on and what’s happening.”
Theis is a big body that likes to bang in the low post. The 31-year-old is an excellent finisher around the rim and very effective in the low post, though he can stretch the floor with his shooting. Theis is also a capable rebounder who thrives on the offensive glass.
Theis owns career averages of 7.6 points, 4.9 rebounds (1.5 offensive), and nearly a block a game while compiling a .543/.326/.714. He is making $9.1 million this year with a $9.5 million team option for 2024-25.
Other Options
The Clippers have plenty of other possible options.
Richaun Holmes has only played one game thus far for the Mavericks. The 30-year-old is a fantastic rebounder and excels on the offensive end. He has struggled mightly defensively, however. Holmes is due $12.0 million this year and has a player option for $12.8 million while holding a 15% trade kicker.
DeAndre Jordan has played sparingly since 2021-22. Still, the 35-year-old can rebound and block shots. He is making $2.0 million this year.
Marvin Bagley III is the best player on the list. While there were rumors early in the summer that the Pistons were interested in dealing either Bagley or James Wiseman, with Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren locking up the frontcourt spots. But the Pistons are dealing with several injuries, and Bagley has played well off the bench. So, while the Pistons would rather trade Wiseman, Bagley is the better player and a more valuable trade chip. Bagley is making $12.5 million this year and $12.5 million next season.
Boban Marjanovic has only been an end-of-bench reserve for his entire career. He is a capable rebounder and rim-protector but is very limited offensively. Marjanovic, on an expiring contract, has seen 20 minutes of action in three appearances for the Rockets this season.
Mo Bamba and Bagley are the two most talented players on the list. Bamba was a starter two seasons ago. But the 25-year-old is buried on the 76ers bench as the Sixers got several frontcourt players in return for Harden. Bamba is an elite rebounder and shot-blocker who is also a quality defender. He is on an expiring $2 million contract.
Jericho Sims is an athletic wide-body who is a fabulous rebounder. The 25-year-old demonstrated that he was an NBA player in his 52-game stint last year with the Knicks, which included 16 starts. Sims, who has a team option for next year, has only seen nine minutes of action over three games this year, as he is third on New York’s center depth list.
Mike Muscala has made a great career of being a backup center. The 32-year-old is a good defensive rebounder, but his ability to space the floor makes him a valuable commodity. Muscala, earning $3.5 million this year, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
